Clare Secondary Schools First Year Football Blitz

Preliminary Rounds 

At the end of a great year for Clare post primary ladies football when St Flannans captured the Munster Senior schools title and came close to capturing the Munster junior title, the emerging schools talent got their chance to shine when the first year schools blitz took place last week. Ten secondary schools competed in the annual blitz when Cooraclare GAA gounds hosted schools from

Kilrush (coached by Orla Kilkenny & Ger Mescall),

Ennistymon (Carmel Eustace),

Spanish Point (Aidan Donnelly) and

Kilmihil (Lisa Farrell),

while Gurteen hosted

St. Pats of Shannon (Imelda Colleran),

Kildysart (Roisin Meaney),

Gael Colaiste Ennis (Sile Ni Dheargain),

Rice College Ennis (Denis O'Driscoll),

Colaiste Mhuire Ennis (Donal O'Mahony & Frank Culloton) and

St. Flannans (Eimear Murphy Considine & Gary Brennan).

The work put in by school and club in bringing the girls to a high level of skill was very evident as some very exciting football was played. Great praise must be given to the girls as they represented their schools with great enthusiasm and a very sporting spirit. Kilmihil topped the table in the Cooraclare blitz with Spanish Point coming close and in Gurteen. St. Flannans still on the crest of a wave, emerged on top of the table with Colaiste Mhuire runners up.

The event was very well coordinated by schools competition stalwarts Terry Meaney and Michael Fitzpatrick and refs on the day were Linda Russell, Tony Henchy, Johnny Hayes, David O'Brien & Alan Copley. Flannans will have more schools experience as they meet Kilmihil in the final but Kilmihil have a number of experienced players competing in the Clare U14 Feile semi-finals. The First Year Blitz Final is set for Coolmeen this Wednesday 25^th at 12pm.

First Year Football Blitz Final

The Clare Post Primary Schools First Year blitz for ladies footballers concluded when St Flannans recorded a strong win over St. Michael's Community College, Kilmihil in the final, played in Coolmeen last Wednesday. St Flannans have won the title in four of the last six years and are currently riding the wave of success they achieved this year when their Junior team (up to third year) were defeated in the Munster final and whose senior team won the Munster title. Played in very wintery conditions, Clionadh Blake was denied a certain goal from the throw-in for St. Michaels, (captained by Ciara Coughlan) and St Flannans (captained by Theresa O'Keeffe) had only two points on the board at half time. However, Doireann Murphy netted twice for the Ennis school within as many minutes to finish off the game with additonal points from Sadhb Malone. 

Kilmihil battled throughout led by Sharon Egan, Clionadh Blake, Rebecca Doohan and Captain Coughlan. Louise Browne was very impressive for Flannans along with Doireann Murphy, Mia Hanrahan, Andrea O'Keeffe and twin Theresa. Vanessa Meaney and  Marese Hayes were also very active for the champions.    

Ten secondary schools competed in the annual blitz when Cooraclare GAA gounds hosted schools from Kilrush (coached by Orla Kilkenny & Ger Mescall), Ennistymon (Carmel Eustace), Spanish Point (Aidan Donnelly) and Kilmihil (Lisa Farrell), while Gurteen hosted St. Pats of Shannon (Imelda Colleran), Kildysart (Roisin Meaney), Gael Colaiste Ennis (Sile Ni Dheargain), Rice College Ennis (Denis O'Driscoll), Colaiste Mhuire Ennis (Donacha O'Mahony & Frank Culloton) and St. Flannans (Eimear Murphy Considine & Gary Brennan).

Ennis Panel: Aleisha Malone, Mia Hanrahan, Chloe Eustace, Louise Malone, Amie Wiley, Doireann Murphy, Teresa O'Keeffe, Ciara Casey, Vanessa Meaney, Andrea O'Keeffe, Sadhb Malone, Leanne Kearney, Doireann Casey, Rebecca McDonell, Marese Hayes, Darcey Malone. Managers: Emer Considine & Gary Brennan.